ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - At least one person was killed and three others were injured following the explosion of an electrical transformer inside a state-owned power station in Iraq’s capital on Monday.

In a statement, the Iraqi electricity ministry mourned the loss of a staff member at the new al-Farabi power station while on duty “following a tragic accident that occurred… while he was performing his official duties.”

The ministry added that three other employees were also injured in the incident, and quickly hospitalized.

“Immediately following the incident, Civil Defense teams and relevant authorities arrived at the station site and took the necessary measures, while the concerned bodies initiated an investigation to determine the circumstances and causes of the accident,” the statement noted.

Poor enforcement of safety regulations at public and private buildings frequently result in major fire and explosion incidents across Iraq, often leading to large numbers of casualties.

At least two workers died and 114 others were injured due to an ammonia gas leak at a fertilizer factory in Basra province on Wednesday, according to Iraqi state media, citing the health ministry.

Despite recent government measures, the scale and frequency of fire incidents continue to raise serious concerns about public safety and regulatory oversight

The risks significantly increase during the scorching summer months, with extreme heat heightening the chance of blazes occurring.